Every process in this course helps me in my marriage, my life, and my work.
- Daniel Scrafford
2025 PACT Level 1: Foundations
Join a growing global community of couple therapists who have experienced the power of PACT.
In PACT Level 1: Foundations, you will learn the fundamentals of the PACT methodology and how to lead even your most challenging couples toward secure-functioning relationships.
Based on a unique integration of the latest research in neuroscience, attachment theory, and the biology of human arousal, you’ll discover PACT’s dynamic and practical mind-body approach to couple therapy. It’s proven, effective therapy respected across the globe.Â
We believe you can gain confidence and enjoy your work with couples, knowing the PACT methodology is solidly grounded in science and research and also allows you the flexibility to get creative in the therapy room. There’s no need to feel overwhelmed working with couples!Â
High-Level Training
PACT Level 1: Foundations is the essential first course in the PACT training program. It teaches you the underlying principles and solid skills that PACT is known for. In Level 1 training, you’ll learn the critical building blocks for advanced study and becoming a successful PACT therapist.
While a foundational course, PACT Level 1 is a rigorous training program. You will have a number of reading assignments and videos to watch even before the first meeting, and you will have assignments between course modules. These required assignments allow you to both clarify and solidify your understanding of PACT principles and participate more meaningfully while in the live training with instructors and colleagues.
High-Level Participation
PACT is an experiential model of therapy. As a PACT therapist, you must bring your whole self into the therapy room — face, mind, body, voice. When learning PACT, you must do the same in class — as an engaged and active participant.Â
PACT Level 1: Foundations is a highly participatory training. Students get the most out of the training when they engage with their peers and colleagues. The focus and value of the live training is in the practice of new skills and receipt of constructive, respectful feedback.Â
PACT training encompasses demonstrations, small group processing, large group processing, and role playing, in which you play the role of therapist as well as member of a couple. Participation in these exercises is required, and video cameras must be on throughout the training.Â
We understand everyone is different. However, this course is designed only for those who are willing to be active learners and participate in all PACT Level 1 training exercises. For example, if you recognize that you are someone who is generally reticent to participate and prefers to sit back and watch activities rather than participate in them, this program will not be a good fit. Your active practice and participation are requirements to pass this course of study.Â
Our Inclusive Student Culture at the PACT InstituteÂ
Everything we do as PACT faculty and staff, we strive to do with kindness, empathy, and respect for all.
Next year, we continue our commitment to serve systemically marginalized communities in the field of mental health. We’re truly honored to teach PACT to therapists with different backgrounds, lived experience, and perspectives.
While PACT is a highly rigorous and experiential training, our instructors and staff strive to create safe and supportive learning environments. We expect PACT students to join us in wholehearted learning and in their support of a positive and inclusive student culture for all colleagues.
Rich Training ResourcesÂ
PACT Level 1: Foundations includes a comprehensive training manual and an extensive library of videos that accompany each module. Take advantage of these resources before, during, and after training.
Gain access to course materials six weeks before the start of the course, so you can watch the videos in advance and fully prepare for the live training. This will help you remain focused and on-topic so you are ready to engage with the material — and your colleagues in class — and remember what you learn. Watching the videos at your own pace also helps cut down on screen fatigue.
As a student, you have access to PACT Coaches, who are experienced PACT therapists, during the live training sessions and in between modules to ask questions and get answers to real-life issues. You also have access to the PACT video library for an entire year. You can go back and watch any video even after the training, especially if you want to review a specific concept or see an intervention in action again.
Experienced Teachers
Each PACT instructor brings years of experience teaching PACT principles and skills, along with a passion for supporting clinicians and helping couples thrive.Â
In PACT Level 1: Foundations, you’ll meet PACT developer Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, and PACT Institute co-founder Tracey Boldemann-Tatkin, PhD, as well as learn from a team of experienced clinicians and teachers.
Eda Arduman, MA
“I aim to support emerging PACT therapists in developing their ability to remain centered and find joy in the process of working with PACT.”
Allison Howe, LMHC, MA, EdM
“Becoming a Level 1 Instructor has reignited my joy in the study of the PACT model and sharing it with other brave therapists who are on the same journey. I’m excited to support students in building their secure functioning narrative. This narrative is an essential foundation and the compass in our couple’s work.”
Here’s the value you receive with PACT Level 1 Online Training:
- Four 2-day live online training sessions (40 hours of live training)
- Two additional live Q&A sessions in addition to the live online training sessions (after the first and third modules)
- 24 hours of online video material to watch on your own so you can hit the ground running in the live sessions and review when you want to study the content again.
- Assessment strategies to quickly determine partners’ attachment styles
- Interventions that really work — learn when and how to use them
- Clinical video presentations and case enactments designed to help you see PACT in action
- Experiential exercises and small group discussion and practice to help you integrate PACT techniques into your clinical practice
- Opportunities to ask questions and get answers to real-life issues
- Digital copy of the PACT training manual
- One year of access to the PACT Institute’s video library, including recordings from the live training and 34 PACT training videos that demonstrate new techniques and skills
- Membership in an online discussion group, giving you the opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world
- 40 CE hours sponsored by APA, NYSED and NBC
The PACT Institute offers a 15% discount for those who repeat Level 1. Please email us at [email protected] for details.
Train with your colleagues! We are offering a 15% discount for groups of 5 or more. Email [email protected] for details
Level 1 Structure
Small Class Sizes and Breakout Groups
PACT training encompasses demonstrations, small group processing, large group processing, and role playing. This year, we’re keeping class sizes small. Smaller classes and breakout groups allow for more individual attention and more time to practice new skills with feedback from instructors and coaches.Â
Smaller classes also mean seats are limited, so sign up early to ensure your spot!
More Time for Students
You may notice that the training times are slightly different than in the past. We have added one half hour to each of the clinical training sessions, which allows for longer breaks in an effort to support students’ learning and retention of information.Â
Training will meet on Saturdays and Sundays, at either 7:00 am - 12:30 pm Pacific time or 2:00 pm - 7:30 pm Pacific time. Convert to your local time zone.Â
Level 1 Requirements
PACT Level 1: Foundations is intended for licensed and pre-licensed marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Â
To qualify for attendance in the PACT training, a pre-licensed clinician must (a) be in the final year of graduate school, (b) actively see clients as a supervisee and/or intern, and (c) have a supervisor’s approval to attend the training.
Coaches are not eligible for this training.
Level 1 training is offered in English.Â
2025 PACT Level 1 Training Days/Times
2025 PACT Level 1 Fall
We will offer only one cohort for PACT Level 1 in the fall.
September 6-7 | October 18-19 | November 8-9 | December 6-7
All sessions are 7:00am - 12:30pm Pacific
2025 PACT Institute Scholarships
The PACT Institute offers need-based scholarships intended for clinicians with demonstrated financial hardship and a passion for working with couples.
Learn more about scholarships and other financial aid for PACT training.
CE Eligibility Policy & Level 1 Completion
When you successfully complete PACT Level 1: Foundations, you can identify yourself as a PACT Level 1 clinician/therapist, indicating a strong foundation in PACT skills and principles.
To receive a status of PACT Level 1, along with a certificate of completion, and be eligible to move on to the next level of PACT training, students must attend training with their cameras on and fully participate in all live training sessions and breakout room practices. Students must also complete all coursework in their student portal, including training videos and module quizzes.
To receive CE credit for PACT Level 1 training, students must attend all modules with their camera on and fully participate in all live training sessions and breakout room practices. Students must also complete every module quiz in their student portal.
You may apply for CE credits for the full training only. As per accreditation board requirements, PACT is unable to offer partial CE credits for partial completion of the training.
CE Information
Level 1 training is sponsored by the PACT Institute (ACEP #6641, PCE #5551, and SW CPE #0104) for 40 continuing education hours. Â
New York Social Workers: PACT Institute SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0104.
New York Social Workers & Mental Health Practitioners: PACT Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0114.
Psychologists: The PACT Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The PACT Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, Licensed Educational Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Certified Counselors:
Level 1 Training Objectives
Module 1
- Distinguish between the three PACT domains.
- Explain and practice the principles of therapist self-regulation.
- Apply the principles and employ the skills for the basic PACT interviewing process.
- Describe and formulate the elements of the therapeutic frame.
- Differentiate between top-down and bottom-up interventions.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for going down the middle.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for cross-commenting.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for cross-questioning.
Module 2
- Describe the significance of attachment to couple therapy.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills of attachment assessment.
- Construct the secure/insecure continuum.
- Contrast the three different attachment styles and assess partners’ attachment styles.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for attachment intervention.
- Appraise visual and auditory recognitions for hypo arousal.
- Appraise visual and auditory recognitions for hyper arousal.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills of arousal regulation assessment.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for arousal regulation intervention.
- Assess arousal bias and attachment type.
Module 3
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for bending metal.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for collaborative narratives.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for corralling questions.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for management of thirds.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for declarations of commitment.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for Shared Principles of Governance.
- Construct, justify, and appraise case conceptualization.
- Employ and support therapeutic alliance.
Module 4
- Identify the parts of the brain central to social-emotional functioning.
- Describe and assess the development of the social brain.
- Describe and assess the neuroendocrine system.
- Apply the principles and demonstrate the skills for staging scenes.
- Appraise acting out couples and demonstrate the skills for working with these couples.
- Evaluate micro-expressions and explain the importance of tracking micro-expressions.
- Evaluate micro-movements and explain the importance of tracking micro-movements.
- Integrate the interventions learned during this module.
"This remains the most impactful training I’ve had in my career. I had worried that the course would not translate well to online learning but it was exceptionally effective."
PACT Level 1 Online student in Los Angeles, CA
"I don’t think the [online] format handicapped us at all. The training weekend was much less expensive than traveling… and much less disruptive for both work and family time. I’d gladly sign onto this format again without any worry of loss of educational content or collegial experience. Many thanks to all! "
PACT Level 1 Online student in Boulder, CO
"This was such a powerful and useful training. I honestly feel like I am a better therapist because of it; with couples, sure, but also with individuals. "
PACT Level 1 Online student in Los Angeles, Ca
"Simply wonderful. Although we were in Zoom meetings, I experienced no sense of disconnection from Stan, Tracey or the other participants. The breakouts were fertile and novel learning experiences also. I was thoroughly impressed with the use of the technology, its efficiency and effectiveness."
PACT Level 1 Online student in Boulder, Co
Want to learn more? Check out our free Intro to PACT webinar.
In this free 90-minute webinar, you’ll learn:
- The three domains that inform PACT – arousal regulation, attachment theory, and developmental neuroscience – and how they all intersect.
- Why and how the PACT therapist takes a stand for secure-functioning relationships and what we mean by secure functioning.
- A useful model of attachment types – islands, anchors, and waves – and how these types relate to each other.
- Tools for assessment in your first session with couples.